About a year ago, I was reading in Numbers. I earmarked chapter nine and wrote, “Revisit this passage. I think there is something for me to glean here.“

At the time, I knew there was deep substance there, but I couldn’t put my finger on how the passage personally spoke to me.

Instead I made a note...and completely forgot about it.

Obviously I had no idea how hugely impactful it would be when I “stumbled upon” that year-old note yesterday in search of another passage.

We’re in Numbers here, so this scripture has to do with the Israelites’ journey out of Egypt.

This chapter talks about the cloud of God’s presence, and how it hovered over the Tabernacle.

When the cloud moved, the people moved, be it day or night.

Without getting too deep (this is only a blog post after all! ), it’s really as simple as that- when the cloud moved, the people moved.

Sometimes they’d make their camp for a single day, and other times it was much longer.

No matter what, and what we need to see in this passage is, whether they stayed or went, it was based on what the Lord commanded.

Similarly, our “cloud” is the gift of the Holy Spirit, making this story so very relatable.

Have you ever felt like you’re in a complete holding pattern?

Completely stuck even though you want nothing more than to GO!?

Hello. My name is Brittny. Welcome to my current world.

Here’s why I think I “accidentally” found this year old note to myself, and why this passage is so valuable to those of us camping out despite feeling ready to move-

For so long I’ve seen this current “campout” phase as a waste. Like a big pause from where I was and what the Lord has next.

However, that’s not at all how we need to see these times.

We have to remember we’re “camping” because that’s where God has us.

We haven’t broken camp because He hasn’t led us there yet.

That doesn’t mean we’re in nothing more than a holding cell until we finally get to break camp and move on.

Oh no, not at all!

In fact, may you and I both need to wipe that thought from our brains right now!

We must not forget when His cloud settled over the tabernacle, He was there.

Why would we ever want to go somewhere He’s not?

Note verse 19.

It doesn’t say the cloud remained over the Tabernacle and the Israelites filed their nails and grumbled until they could move on.

It says the Israelites stayed and performed their duty to the Lord.

There was (and is!) work still to be done.

We’re not just sitting here collecting dust, friends, we’re still active in performing our duty to the Lord!

Before we rush ourselves and try to break camp before we’re ready, we must remember we want to be where His Spirit is.

If He has us parked for a season (or two or three!) let us not grow weary. Instead, let us bask in His presence and the fact that He’s there with us. Preparing and readying us for when He does stir in our hearts to break camp.

Most of all, may we continue to be faithful in our service to the Lord. He will move us in His time and in His will. May we faithfully wait, becoming more like Him day by day.